PokerStars Introduces New Cash Game Rules and Expands Seatfinder System

PokerStars has implemented a fresh wave of changes to its cash game offerings, continuing a significant overhaul that began with the recent global launch of its Seatfinder system. The latest updates include game removals, stricter session rules, and a raised multi-tabling limit — all aimed at improving liquidity and enhancing the overall player experience.

As of August 5, PokerStars added new minimum hand requirements for players at $0.50/$1 and $1/$2 stakes in both No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO). These rules are designed to discourage players from engaging in ultra-short sessions that disrupt table stability under the new automatic seating system.

Players are allowed two “free passes” to leave a table before playing ten hands. Once these are used, the “Sit Out” button becomes disabled until the minimum requirement is met. Players who continue to leave early will face escalating time penalties: five minutes for the first offense, ten for the second, and fifteen for each subsequent infraction.

In a move welcomed by regular players, PokerStars has increased the maximum number of regular cash game tables a user can play simultaneously from four to six. This marks the first increase since the operator drastically cut the cap from 24 tables in 2019 — a controversial decision at the time.

While still more restrictive than many competitors, this change helps align PokerStars more closely with industry standards. For comparison:

Alongside these rule changes, PokerStars has once again streamlined its offerings by removing multiple niche and less popular formats. The cuts include:

• Certain short-handed NLHE tables
• Capped tables at selected buy-ins
• NLHE ante tables
• All No-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo games
• All PLO ante tables
• Various mixed and draw formats

This continues the operator’s strategy of consolidating its offerings to improve liquidity and reduce fragmentation — especially as traffic has dipped in recent years due to multiple market withdrawals.

These changes build on the July 15 global rollout of the Seatfinder system — PokerStars’ automated seating solution formerly known as the Blind Lobby. Instead of choosing specific tables and seats, players now select their preferred stakes and buy-ins, and the system seats them automatically at a suitable table.

Seatfinder was initially limited to lower-stakes cash games ($1/$2 and below), but its impact has been significant. Designed to simplify the experience for recreational players and reduce predatory behavior, the system was extensively tested in segregated European markets before its global debut.

Early feedback led to swift adjustments: mixed games and niche formats were removed from Seatfinder, and the minimum number of players required to start a table was raised from two to three — a key fix for heads-up tables, which were breaking prematurely.

Beyond cash game tweaks, PokerStars also rolled out software improvements aimed at tournament and general gameplay quality:

• Enhanced visuals for the start of the Mystery Bounty stage
• Rabbit hunt improvements
• Clearer show card presentation

The MTT lobby for the web-based client has also been upgraded and is now available in France, Portugal, and Sweden, allowing players in these countries to access tournaments without downloading the desktop software.

Finally, the room has made changes to the player-to-player (P2P) transfer feature. Contrary to some reports, this functionality has not been removed. It has simply been relocated from the Tools menu to the Cashier section in applicable markets.

Taken together, these changes signal a continued shift in PokerStars’ strategy: streamlining the platform, prioritizing recreational players, and maintaining liquidity in a competitive landscape. While some updates — particularly the Seatfinder system — remain controversial among long-time grinders, the platform appears committed to refining its ecosystem with both engagement and sustainability in mind.